I know this is a general question, but how do you think this team will do when it steps up in competition. Syracuse feels like a scary game.

by Sergiono11/20/2013 5:58:48 PM

Syracuse feels like a scary game because it is a scary game. The Orange isn’t ranked No. 9 in the nation for nothing. Cuse has shown it isn’t totally unbeatable after just barely squeaking by St. Francis, but there is also a lot of talent there, and Boeheim’s teams are always very good defensively. In this year’s case, the team is just inexperienced, a la the Gophers, with only a couple of starters getting meaningful minutes last year. I wouldn’t be shocked if the Gophers kept it close, but it should be a very, very tough test, yes, at this stage of the season.

by Amelia Rayno11/20/2013 6:00:02 PM

So Malik Smith is 2 for 7 and all of his shots are from 3 point land. Does he have any ability to drive by anyone running at him or take a step or two in and take a shorter jumper? Seems to only want to shoot 3's.

by MinnAbe11/20/2013 6:00:06 PM

Smith isn’t the best driver, which is why you don’t see him doing that more. Still, he does need to be more involved in the offense. I think we’re still seeing a transition period after being the guy who just got open on the perimeter a year ago.

by Amelia Rayno11/20/2013 6:00:38 PM

I know the Gophers knew they were not going to get Tyus Jones, but they did have a reaction to his choice of Dook?

by Cartoon Fun Time11/20/2013 6:00:47 PM

Nah – the Gophers don’t comment on recruits that went elsewhere.

by Amelia Rayno11/20/2013 6:00:58 PM

With Walker being out for 2 more games, any sense of where is head is at? Is he itching to bust out and play, or...?

by Kirk11/20/2013 6:01:09 PM

I'm sure he is -- most players don't want to sit on the bench for six games at the beginning of the season, especially after looking so good in the exhibitions.

by Amelia Rayno11/20/2013 6:01:41 PM

Will any of the new 2014 recruits redshirt next year? Do you see any of them with a realistic shot at starting?

by Gary11/20/2013 6:01:48 PM

Pitino has said he doesn’t plan to redshirt any of them right now. There will probably be room for one of the guards (either Carlos Morris or Nate Mason) to start with Austin Hollins graduating. I don’t see Josh Martin starting over Joey King because they are kind of similar players and King would be more experienced.

by Amelia Rayno11/20/2013 6:02:24 PM

In the Richmond game the Gophers were getting out-quicked by Richmond for the entire middle part of the game and looked like they were going to get beat, until they switched to the zone D and started running less. Do you see that as a good thing, the ability to change the way your playing and win? Or do you worry about getting out played at your own game by a middle of the road team? Or both?

by MinnAbe11/20/2013 6:02:25 PM

The Gophers are still learning the system right now. It's not perfect. The press, in particular, is certainly not perfect. But that's OK --they're only four games in. There are going to be teams that can beat the press right now, and then they've got to adjust. I think, certainly, that Pitino is willing to scrap his signature press when he needs to is certainly admirable. You need to be able to show teams different things, and have options.

by Amelia Rayno11/20/2013 6:04:38 PM

I'm going to be in Maui for the tournament but don't have tickets. Do you know of any Gophers related pep rally or something going on somewhere?

by jayinduluth11/20/2013 6:04:51 PM

You’re going to be in Maui but you’re not going to the games? Wha? I don’t know of any pep rally situation, no, but if I get word, I’ll make note of it on my blog.

by Amelia Rayno11/20/2013 6:05:59 PM

Any update on Joey King? He looked pretty shook up leaving the floor.

by Begnoggin11/20/2013 6:06:01 PM

I agree, he did. He was walking around the halls last night, ice pack on face, seeming relatively OK for the situation, but he will be re-evaluated today (maybe with X-Rays). No word yet, but I will certainly let you guys know when we do hear.

by Amelia Rayno11/20/2013 6:06:29 PM

Is this team just gonna get overpowered in Big Ten play?

by Flanders11/20/2013 6:06:33 PM

It is a concern, certainly. The Gophers don’t really have an inside presence right now, someone to effectively muscle in the paint. Big Mo (can we still call him that?) coming back will help, but it’s not going to solve it. This is a different frontcourt than a year ago (and even that one had a lot of trouble). The Gophers will have to rely a lot on the perimeter shot and scoring in transition, but that won’t always be working.

by Amelia Rayno11/20/2013 6:07:23 PM

Does Pitino look to be a coach that can and will bring the Gophers to the upper echelon in the Big? How many years before and if we see that?

by Paul11/20/2013 6:07:25 PM

It's so hard to predict something like that right now, after seeing him coach for just four games. You guys are getting ahead of yourselves. I like what he's done through the first four, but it's only been four.

by Amelia Rayno11/20/2013 6:07:58 PM

What do the players think about having an offense with spacing and ball movement? I'm sure they preferred my stagnant, bogged down system much better.

by Tubby11/20/2013 6:08:17 PM

Stop pretending to be Tubby, guys, joke is old.

by Amelia Rayno11/20/2013 6:08:25 PM

Who loses the most playing time when Mo Walker returns?

by Bruce11/20/2013 6:08:32 PM

Eliason, and that's a good thing. The guy had to play 34 minutes last night -- that's not a pace that's sustainable. When Walker returns, those two will go back to platooning the way they did in the preseason games, and you'll see less of Oto-and-Joey frontcourts.

by Amelia Rayno11/20/2013 6:09:19 PM

Is Big Mo suspended through the Syracuse game?

by Kai11/20/2013 6:09:27 PM

Yes. He returns for the second round of the Maui Invite.

by Amelia Rayno11/20/2013 6:09:36 PM

Any word on King's availability on or after Thursday?

by Kirk11/20/2013 6:09:53 PM

Gophers haven't said yet. Depends on the results today. Not much time for him to get healthy, but he could be fine.

by Amelia Rayno11/20/2013 6:10:14 PM

Any chance Buggs gets more playing time soon?...Gopher Nation is waiting for him to teach us how to Buggy

by Bruce11/20/2013 6:10:20 PM

I am tired of getting this question. Can’t you guys just accept that Pitino knows more about Buggs’ game than you do? He’s not playing him because he’s not ready, not because Pitino just loves watching the frontcourt struggle and get thinner by the second.

by Amelia Rayno11/20/2013 6:10:28 PM

Who will be the toughest conference opponent for us this year?

by Tubby (as in fat)11/20/2013 6:10:56 PM

Hard to say. Michigan State, Michigan and Ohio State are all going to be very tough. Against Wisconsin, it will be interesting to see how (if) the Gophers can control the pace.

by Amelia Rayno11/20/2013 6:11:40 PM

How is the Gophers' current recruiting class stacking up in the Big Ten?

by Kai11/20/2013 6:11:45 PM

According to this 247sports.com the Gophers are eighth in the Big Ten. Ohio State has an excellent class with a five star and a pair of four stars already. Tom Crean’s efforts at Indiana have been very impressive as well.

by Amelia Rayno11/20/2013 6:12:53 PM

After 4 games, what or who have been, in your opinion, the biggest surprises, good and bad?

by Kirk11/20/2013 6:12:57 PM

Oto Osenieks has definitely surprised me; he’s playing with a lot more confidence. And Joey King has been more productive all over the court than I expected him to be. Of course the biggest surprise is probably DeAndre Mathieu. I love watching him play.

by Amelia Rayno11/20/2013 6:13:20 PM

All things equal: would you prefer to walk through some woods that are "squatchy" or not-so-squatchy?

by Kai11/20/2013 6:13:21 PM

Definitely squatchy woods, please.

by Amelia Rayno11/20/2013 6:13:30 PM

If you could attend just one home game this year, which one would you pick?

by EJB11/20/2013 6:14:05 PM

I'd like to pick that game after knowing how the Gophers play for the first four Big Ten games or so.

by Amelia Rayno11/20/2013 6:14:22 PM

Upon his return, how many three pointers is Mo Walker going to attempt this season?